The Energy Commission has issued an updated enforcement roadmap for Ghana’s new energy efficiency regulations, announcing strict compliance deadlines for the importation of air conditioners, refrigerants and ceiling fans.
The directive, released in an official statement, signals the country’s decisive shift toward higher efficiency standards and reduced environmental impact.
Beginning December 1, 2025, all imported non-ducted air conditioners with cooling capacity below 4kW will be required to meet updated performance thresholds under Legislative Instrument 2458.
“A minimum Annual Energy Efficiency Ratio (AEER) of 3.22 will be required for variable speed compressors (inverter) registration and imports from 1 December 2025.”
Energy Commission
For fixed-speed models, the requirements are even stricter. The statement indicated that “a minimum Annual Energy Efficiency Ratio (AEER) of 3.66 will be required from 1st December 2025.”
These changes represent one of the most substantial upgrades to Ghana’s appliance standards since the introduction of L.I. 1815 in 2005. The Commission noted that imports under the old regulation are no longer permitted.
Any importer attempting to bring in appliances under outdated standards “will be surcharged enforcement fee for non-compliance with L.I 2458 and made to re-test the products under the new regulations.”
In essence, importers will now face tougher scrutiny at the ports and must fully comply with labelling, testing, and registration requirements.
Non-Compliant Shipments Will Be Re-Exported
A major enforcement tool under the new roadmap is the mandatory re-export of non-compliant products arriving in Ghana after the December 2025 deadline.
“All imports arriving in Ghana with Actual Time of Arrival (ATA) by 1st December 2025, without meeting the registration and labeling requirement under L.I 2458…will be asked to be re-exported.”
Energy Commission
In cases where re-export is not feasible, other penalties stipulated under the regulations will be applied. The Commission warned importers, particularly those belonging to the Consumer Electronics & Home Appliances Alliance Ghana (CEHA), to take careful note of the timelines to avoid operational and financial losses.
While the rules for new imports are strict, the Energy Commission is allowing businesses room to transition their existing inventories.
“The sales of existing air conditioners and refrigerators (old stock) in showrooms and warehouses will be allowed,” the Commission clarified. Both old and new efficiency labels will remain valid until July 2026.
However, retailers are being encouraged to introduce newer models earlier, especially inverter air conditioners that can easily meet the upgraded AEER requirements.
New Standards for Ceiling Fans
Under the new Comfort Fan Regulations, the Commission has introduced minimum Service Value (SV) requirements to promote energy-efficient ceiling fans.
“For blade dimensions from 750mm to 1200mm, a minimum Service Value of 3.1 must be met,” the Commission noted. Blades above 1200mm must meet an SV of at least 3.50.
These standards ensure consumers benefit from high airflow performance at lower energy consumption levels.
Beyond energy efficiency, the updated roadmap reinforces Ghana’s environmental obligations under the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol, which requires countries to phase down harmful hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants.
The Commission reminded manufacturers and importers of the need to minimise reliance on high global-warming refrigerants such as R410a, R134a, and R404a.
“Manufacturers and importers [are encouraged] to provide units with Global Warming Potential less than GWP700 for cooling capacity less than 16kW,” the Energy Commission said, citing R32 and R290 as acceptable alternatives.
A quota system for refrigerant imports, to be managed by the Environmental Protection Authority, will be announced soon.
The Energy Commission confirmed that market surveillance and verification testing will intensify throughout the transition period. Enforcement fees will be applied to any importer or retailer found to be violating the regulations.
The Commission once again urged CEHA, the Concerned Secondhand Dealers Association Ghana (CSDAGH), and all importers to adhere strictly to the roadmap “to avoid any inconvenience at the port of entry.”
With December 2025 approaching, Ghana’s appliance sector is bracing for one of the most comprehensive regulatory shifts in nearly two decades.
The Energy Commission maintains that the reforms are necessary to protect consumers, strengthen energy security, and meet global climate commitments while guiding importers smoothly through the transition.
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